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Now listen with good will, as I go straight to my subject matter, in which you may hear the double sorrows of Troilus in his love for Criseyde, and how she forsook him before she died' Like Romeo and Juliet, or Tristan and Iseult, the names of Troilus and Criseyde will always be united: a pair of lovers whose names are inseparable from passion and tragedy. Troilus and Criseyde is Chaucer's masterpiece and was prized for centuries as his supreme achievement. The story of how Troilus and Criseyde discover love and how she abandons him for Diomede after her departure from Troy is dramatically presented in all its comedy and tragic pathos. With its deep humanity and penetrating insight, Troilus and Criseyde is now recognized as one of the finest narrative poems in the English language. This is a new translation into contemporary English of Chaucer's greatest single poem which can be read alongside the Middle English original, or as an accurate and readable version in its own right. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
The narrative centers on the tragic romance between the Trojan prince Troilus and the widow Criseyde, set against the backdrop of the protracted Trojan War. Troilus, initially a skeptic of love, falls into a deep obsession with Criseyde, eventually securing her affection through the mediation of her uncle, Pandarus. Their clandestine relationship faces inevitable collapse when Criseyde is exchanged for a Trojan prisoner and sent to the Greek camp, where she eventually turns her affections toward the warrior Diomede. The poem, structured in five books, utilizes a third-person narrator who reflects on the instability of fortune and the fleeting nature of earthly desire.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the poem's sophisticated psychological realism, which distinguishes it from many other medieval romances. Discussion often centers on the moral ambiguity of Criseyde's actions and whether her betrayal is a result of character flaw or the pressures of her precarious situation. The balance between the lighthearted, often humorous interactions involving Pandarus and the somber, philosophical conclusion of the poem is a frequent subject of analysis. Scholars often emphasize the work's status as a foundational text in the development of English narrative poetry, noting its enduring influence on later writers. Many readers appreciate the accessibility provided by modern translations, which allow for a clearer engagement with Chaucer's complex thematic explorations of love and loss.
Page Count:
254
Publication Date:
1998-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191611069
ISBN-13:
9780191611063
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